7 Injured as BEST Electric Bus Hits Divider in Powai

A BEST electric bus collided with a road divider in Mumbai's Powai area on Thursday morning, injuring at least seven passengers. The accident occurred at around 11.05 am near Powai Vihar Sankul on the upward carriageway while the bus was operating on its scheduled route from Vikhroli Depot to Bandra Bus Station (West).

The bus, bearing No. 8688, was operating on Route A-422/36 from Vikhroli Depot when the accident occurred. According to the driver's statement, he noticed a car approaching from the left side of the bus while driving, which distracted him, causing the bus to veer towards the right and ram into the road divider.

The impact of the collision left seven passengers travelling in the bus injured. They were immediately shifted to Paramount Hospital in Sakinaka for treatment by the bus conductor on the instructions of Wet Lease Depot Manager Kishor Shinde. BEST officials said the injured passengers received prompt medical attention, although the nature and extent of their injuries were not immediately disclosed.

Senior BEST officials, including Acting Bus Inspector No. 097343 from Marol, Accident Inspector No. 73, Kurla Depot Manager Tiwari, Assistant Depot Manager Genge of Marol, and Accident Officer T.O.-20 Jadhav, were rushed to the spot to investigate the incident. Wet Lease Officer Kishor Shinde was also directed to visit both the accident site and the hospital to oversee the situation.

The exact cause of the accident will be determined after the completion of the inquiry. Authorities are expected to examine the driver's statement, road conditions, and other relevant factors as part of the investigation. The incident briefly affected traffic movement in the Powai area before the damaged bus was cleared from the road.

In a related development, a recent BEST inspection found that 34% of wet-lease buses had brake and steering defects, with 94 repairs still pending after three months. This raises concerns about the safety and maintenance of BEST buses.

The incident highlights the need for improved road safety and maintenance of public transport vehicles in Mumbai. The city's residents rely heavily on public transport, and it is essential that the authorities take necessary measures to ensure their safety.

Further details regarding the condition of the injured passengers are awaited. The investigation into the accident is ongoing, and the authorities are expected to take necessary actions to prevent such incidents in the future.

In conclusion, the accident is a reminder of the importance of road safety and the need for careful driving and maintenance of public transport vehicles. The authorities must take necessary measures to ensure the safety of passengers and prevent such incidents from occurring in the future.